Dental Care for Children: Comprehensive Insights and Tips

Providing Free Dental Care for Children in Need

Dental Care for Children has been actively involved in offering free dental services to disadvantaged children around the world. Their efforts extend to various locations, including the United States, Mexico, and Haiti. In Southern California, they host free clinics in Irvine, Santa Ana, Tustin, and Los Angeles, recognizing the significant need among local children and students. In Mexico, they have been traveling for 31 years to provide care in impoverished communities, starting from an orphanage with basic equipment and growing with strong support. In Haiti, they have expanded their relief efforts to several orphanages, holding multiple clinics over the years.

About Dr. Tozzer and the Mission

Dr. Charles “Chuck” Tozzer initiated Dental Care for Children with the simple yet powerful goal of providing free dental services to children lacking access. The organization now conducts numerous clinics each year and is committed to its mission of delivering high-quality dental care to underprivileged children globally.

Ways to Make a Difference

You can contribute by volunteering at clinics or making donations. Volunteering allows you to directly impact the oral health of children worldwide, while every dollar donated yields significant value in services.

Oral Health Tips for Children from CDC

More than half of children aged 6 to 8 and 12 to 19 have had cavities. Children in communities with fluoridated tap water and those who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste have fewer cavities. Parents and caregivers can take several steps for their children's oral health, such as wiping gums twice a day, starting to brush teeth with plain water when they come in, visiting the dentist by the baby's first birthday, using fluoride varnish, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, helping the child brush until they have adequate skills, asking the dentist for dental sealants when appropriate, and drinking fluoridated tap water. To find a dentist, you can use Insure Kids Now Dentist Locator if needed.

MedlinePlus on Dental Care for Children

MedlinePlus provides information on dental care for children. Teaching children to brush and taking oral fluoride are important. Acting quickly can often save a tooth. References from various sources like Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics and others are included.

Dental Care Tips from First 5 California

Parents should start their baby's dental care early. Wiping the newborn's gums and beginning to brush with a baby toothbrush when the first tooth appears are key. At age one, the child should brush twice a day. It's important to consult the doctor or dentist about using toothpaste and supervise the child closely. Using a small, soft toothbrush and a circular brushing motion is recommended. Making brushing part of the daily routine and adding fun can make it more enjoyable for children. Tips like using colorful toothbrushes and singing songs can help.

Expanding Integration and Access for Children's Dental Health

Most children, especially those enrolled in Medicaid, have their first dental exam late. Among 4-year-olds, nearly 7 in 10 have dental disease. Primary care visits can increase the likelihood of preventive dental care. School-based dental sealant programs and teledentistry are effective in improving access, especially for at-risk students and those in rural areas. The new billing code for medical providers applying silver diamine fluoride helps overcome barriers to dental care for children.